Strap Connector for a Lawn Cutting Device

ABSTRACT

A strap connector for coupling with a lawn cutting device and permitting a strap connected to the strap connector with more freedom of movements, the strap connector includes a first coupling device statistically connected to a portion of a shaft of the lawn cutting device, a second coupling device connected to the first coupling device in a relative rotation relation, the second coupling device having a first engaging portion surrounding the first coupling device and a second engaging portion extending radially from the first engaging portion and having a compartment defined internally, and a ring shaped member having a ring shaped portion adapted for connection of the strap and a connecting portion connected to the second engaging portion of the second coupling device in a relative rotation relation, and the connecting portion received in the compartment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a connector for a strap that is used in a lawn cutting device, and that the strap permits an user to carry the lawn cutting device while operating it.

2. Description of the Related Art

Referring to TW Pat Publication No. 529901, a plant cutter apparatus includes a hanging belt 19 having a proximal end and a distal end respectively secured to two engaging portions on a handling rod 11 of the plant cutter apparatus, wherein the hanging belt 19 can be placed over the shoulder of an user to thereby permit the user to carry the plant cutter apparatus while operating it.

The engaging portions are fixed and are not relatively moveable with respect to the handling rod 11. As a result of this configuration, the hanging belt 19 connected thereto tends to hinder the user from swivel movement of his or her body and the manipulation of the handling rod 11.

The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly to the present invention there is provided a strap connector for coupling with a lawn cutting device and permitting a strap connected to the strap connector with more freedom of movements, the strap connector includes a first coupling device statistically connected to a portion of a shaft of the lawn cutting device, the first coupling device having a first engaging portion surrounding the portion, a second coupling device connected to the first coupling device in a relative rotation relation, the second coupling device having a first engaging portion surrounding the first coupling device and a second engaging portion extending radially from the first engaging portion and having a compartment defined internally, and a ring shaped member having a ring shaped portion adapted for connection of the strap and a connecting portion connected to the second engaging portion of the second coupling device in a relative rotation relation, and the connecting portion received in the compartment.

It is an object that when the ring shaped member is connected to the second engaging portion of the second coupling device, the ring shaped member is connected to the second coupling device in a gapped relation such that relative rotational movement between the ring shaped member and the second coupling device is facilitated.

It is another object that the first coupling device is connected to the second coupling device in a gapped relation such that relative rotational movement between the first coupling device and the second coupling device is facilitated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the compartment is substantially semi-spherical when the second coupling device is connected to the first coupling device. Also, the connecting portion of the ring shaped member is substantially spherical.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the present disclosure to be easily understood and readily practiced, the present disclosure will now be described in conjunction with the following figures, wherein;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a strap connector in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the strap connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the strap connector of FIG. 1, showing the ring shaped member with another orientation with respect to the strap connector.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a strap connector in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows the strap connector of the first embodiment of the present invention coupled on a lawn cutting device.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7, but illustrating the one possible manipulation of the lawn cutting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5 and FIGS. 7 and 8, a strap connector 1 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is designed for coupling with a lawn cutting device 3 and permitting a strap (not shown) connected to the strap connector with more freedom of movements. The strap connector 1 includes a first coupling device 100 statistically connected to a portion of a shaft of the lawn cutting device 3, the first coupling device 100 having a first engaging portion surrounding the portion, a second coupling device 200 connected to the first coupling device 100 in a relative rotation relation, the second coupling device 200 having a first engaging portion surrounding the first coupling device 100 and a second engaging portion extending radially from the first engaging portion of the second coupling device 200 and having a compartment defined internally, and a ring shaped member 300 having a ring shaped portion 302 adapted for connection of the strap and a connecting portion 301 connected to the second engaging portion of the second coupling device in a relative rotation relation, and the connecting portion received in the compartment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first coupling device 100 includes two symmetrically configured coupling members 10 and 20. Each coupling member 10, 20 including a cavity 11, 21, with the cavity 11, 21 having an axis corresponding to that of the coupling member 10, 20, two axially spaced ridges 12 and 13, 22 and 23 extending radially and circumferentially outboard from the outer periphery of the coupling member 10, 20, and a protuberance 14, 24 extending radially outboard from the outer periphery of the coupling member 10, 20.

When the first coupling device 100 is connected to the lawn cutting device 3, the two coupling members 10 and 20 are assembled together and securely held together. Preferably, each coupling member 10, 20 includes a protuberance 14, 24 extending radially outboard from the outer periphery of the coupling member 10, 20, the protuberance 14 has a hole 141 and the protuberance 24 has a hole 241 in which a fastening device is engaged. In this embodiment, the fastening device includes a fastener 15 and a nut 25, the fastener 15 is respectively inserted through the holes 141 and 241, and the fastener 15 is engaged with the nut 25. In addition, the protuberance 24 may have a concavity 242 defined in the protuberance 24 for receiving the nut 25. Further, the cavities 11 and 21 are assembled together to define the first engaging portion thereof. In this embodiment, the first engaging portion has a cross-section substantially circular.

As also shown in FIG. 2, the second coupling device 200 includes two symmetrically configured coupling members 30 and 40. Each coupling member 30, 40 includes a cavity 31, 41 having an axis corresponding to that of the coupling member 30, 40, a block 32, 42 extending radially outboard from the outer periphery of coupling member 30, 40, the block 32, 42 having a chamber 38, 49 therein, and two axially spaced recesses 33 and 34, 43 and 44 extending radially and circumferentially outboard from the inner periphery of the coupling member 30, 40. Further, each block 32, 42 includes a chamber 38, 49 therein. In this embodiment, the chamber 38, 49 has a first section 381, 491 and a second section 382, 492 in communication with the first section 381, 491, the first section 381, 491 has a radius larger than that of the second section 382, 492, and the first 381, 491 and second 382, 492 sections have cross sections substantially semicircular.

When the second coupling device 200 is connected to the first coupling device 100, the two coupling members 30 and 40 are assembled together and securely held together. Preferably, each coupling member 30, 40 includes a protuberance 35, 45 extending radially outboard from the outer periphery of the coupling member 30, 40, the protuberance 35 has a hole 36 and the protuberance 45 has a hole 46 in which a fastening device is engaged. In this embodiment, the fastening device includes a fastener 37 and a nut 48, the fastener 37 is respectively inserted through the holes 36 and 46, and the fastener 37 is engaged with the nut 48. In addition, the protuberance 45 may have a concavity 47 defined in the protuberance 45 for receiving the nut 48. Further, the cavities 31 and 41 are assembled together to define the first engaging portion thereof, the blocks 32 and 42 are assembled together to define the second engaging portion thereof, and the chambers 38 and 49 are assembled together to define the compartment. Further, the ridges 12 and 13, 22 and 23 of the coupling members 10 and 20 of the first coupling device 100 are received in the recess 33 and 34, 43 and 44 of the coupling members 30 and 40 of the second coupling device 200 and whereby disengagement of the first coupling device 100 and the second coupling device 200 is prevented.

The connecting portion 301 of the ring shaped member 300 includes a first end 303 and a second end 304 connecting to the first end 303, the first end 303 is received in the first section 381, 491 of each chamber 38, 49, and the second end 304 is received in the second section of each chamber 38, 49.

When the ring shaped member 300 is connected to the second engaging portion of the second coupling device 200, the ring shaped member 300 is connected to the second coupling device 200 in a gapped relation such that relative rotational movement between the ring shaped member 300 and the second coupling device 200 is facilitated.

FIG. 4 shows a gap A is defined between the first coupling device 100 and the second coupling device 200. As such, the first coupling device 100 is connected to the second coupling device 200 in a gapped relation such that relative rotational movement between the first coupling device 100 and the second coupling device 200 is facilitated.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a strap connector 2 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the strap connector 2 is similar to the prior embodiment except that each coupling members 50, 60 of the first coupling device 400 includes one ridge 51, 61 rather than two. Also, each coupling member 70, 80 of the second coupling device 500 includes a recess 73, 83 receiving the ridge 51, 61 and whereby disengagement of the first coupling device 500 and the second coupling device 600 is prevented. Likewise, each coupling member 70, 80 of the second coupling device 500 includes cavity 71, 81 having an axis corresponding to that of the coupling member 70, 80, a block 72, 82 extending radially outboard from the outer periphery of coupling member 70, 80, and the block 32, 42 having a chamber 74, 84 therein. In this embodiment, the chamber 74, 84 are assembled together to form a substantially semi-spherical compartment when the second coupling device 500 is connected to the first coupling device 400.

The ring shaped portion 602 of the ring shaped member 600 is of the similar configuration as the prior embodiment, however, the connecting portion 601 of the ring shaped member 600 is substantially spherical.

In view of the above description, since the ring shaped member 300, 600 is connected to the second coupling device 200, 500 in a relative rotation relation, and the second coupling device 200, 500 connected to the first coupling device 100, 400 in a relative rotation relation, the strap connector 1, 2 thus permits a strap (not shown) connected to the strap connector, preferably the strap is connected to the ring shaped portion 302, 601 of the ring shaped member 300, 600, with more freedom of movements.

While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of invention and the scope of invention is only limited by the scope of accompanying claims. 

1. A strap connector designed for coupling with a lawn cutting device and permitting a strap connected to the strap connector with more freedom of movements, the strap connector comprising: a first coupling device statistically connected to the lawn cutting device and including a first engaging portion surrounding a portion of the lawn cutting device; a second coupling device connected to the first coupling device in a relative rotation relation and including a first engaging portion surrounding the first coupling device and a second engaging portion extending radially from the first engaging portion of the second coupling device, with the second engaging portion having a compartment defined internally; and a ring shaped member including a ring shaped portion and a connecting portion connected to the second engaging portion of the second coupling device in a relative rotation relation, with the connecting portion received in the compartment.
 2. The strap connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first coupling device comprises two symmetrically configured coupling members, each coupling member comprises a cavity having an axis corresponding to that of the coupling member, and the cavities are assembled together to define the first engaging portion thereof.
 3. The strap connector as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first engaging portion has a cross-section substantially circular.
 4. The strap connector as claimed in claim 2 wherein each coupling member comprises a protuberance extending radially outboard from the outer periphery of the coupling member, and wherein the strap connector further comprises a fastening device engaged with the protuberances so as to securely hold the two coupling members together.
 5. The strap connector as claimed in claim 2 wherein the second coupling device comprises two symmetrically configured coupling members, each coupling member comprises a cavity having an axis corresponding to that of the coupling member, and the cavities are assembled together to define the first engaging portion thereof, and each coupling member further comprises a block extending radially outboard from the outer periphery of coupling member, each block includes a chamber therein, and the blocks are assembled together to define the second engaging portion along with the chambers are assembled together to define the compartment.
 6. The strap connector as claimed in claim 5 wherein each coupling member of the first coupling device comprises at least one ridge extending radially and circumferentially outboard from the outer periphery thereof, wherein each coupling member of the second coupling device comprises at least one recess extending radially and circumferentially outboard from the inner periphery thereof, and wherein the at least one ridge are received in the at least one recess whereby disengagement of the first coupling device and the second coupling device is prevented.
 7. The strap connector as claimed in claim 6 wherein each coupling member of the second coupling device comprises a protuberance extending radially outboard from the outer periphery of coupling member, and wherein the strap connector further comprises a fastening device engaged with the protuberances so as to securely hold the two coupling members together when second coupling device is connected to the first coupling device.
 8. The strap connector as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a fastening device engaged with the blocks of so as to securely hold the two coupling members together when second coupling device is connected to the first coupling device.
 9. The strap connector as claimed in claim 5 wherein each chamber comprises a first section and a second section in communication with the first section, the first section has a radius larger than that of the second section, and the first and second sections have cross sections substantially semicircular.
 10. The strap connector as claimed in claim 5 wherein the chambers are assembled together to form a substantially semi-spherical compartment when the second coupling device is connected to the first coupling device.
 11. The strap connector as claimed as claimed in claim 9 wherein the connecting portion of the ring shaped member comprises a first end and a second end connecting to the first end, the first end is received in the first section of each chamber, and the second end is received in the second section of each chamber.
 12. The strap connector as claimed as claimed in claim 10 wherein the connecting portion of the ring shaped member is substantially spherical.
 13. The strap connector as claimed as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first coupling device is connected to the second coupling device in a gapped relation.
 14. The strap connector as claimed as claimed in claim 13 wherein the ring shaped member is connected to the second coupling device in a gapped relation. 